Historical Society ends year with five grants

NEBRASKA CITY - The Nebraska City Historical Society finished its fiscal year in June announcing five grants totaling over $27,000 and docent funding from the Nebraska City Growth Fund of $10,000.

The society is also working on a formal application for $5,000 from the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Greener Towns program. The focus of the application is a Native American Medicinal Garden and prairie landscape at the Freighter’s Museum.

Completion of $75,000 in renovation work at the Nelson House and Freighter’s Museum is expected this fall.

Projects being considered for next year include a Westward Trails Fiddlers Festival and development of a Nebraska City history research center.

 

Here is the society’s press release

 

• The Society closed out the fiscal year June 30^th, 2025, which included final reports and grant close outs . In 2024-25 the Society was awarded 5 grants totaling more than $27, 500 – in addition, the Society received docent funding support from the City of Nebraska City through LB 840 grant in the amount of $10,000

• The Society has received notification that their Letter of Intent  for a $5,000 Nebraska State Arboretum Greener Townes grant has been approved in the request amount of $5,000 – this means that the Society has been approved to move forward with a formal application in August for landscaping, planting with a focus on Native American Medicinal Garden and prairie landscaping at the OFM for the Fall 2025.

• Review and acknowledgment of all the renovation work at both the Nelson House and OFM was recognized – the past year the Society has spent more than $75,000 in project renovations and restoration. Due to contractor delays and schedules some work has a completion date of September 2025.

• The Board presented a slate of officers for the 25-26 year an also welcomed nominations from the floor – the 2025/26 elected officers are Kathy McKillip – President, Gloria Glover -Treasurer, Margo Blobaum Secretary & Members At Large – Sharon Hersemann and Lucille Sharp.

• Projects under consideration for 2026 per the Society’s Strategic Plan is a Westward Trails Fiddlers Festival, development of a Nebraska City History research center, Westward trail movement and Nebraska City History Podcasts to be available also on the Society’s new website Nebraskacityhistoricalsociety.com

• Increasing partnerships and opportunities with other Nebraska City organizations and strengthening relationships with Nebraska History projects.